1. For the most famous Wet Tropics experience: The Daintree precinct

Tourism accounts for more than 200 million trips to the Wet Tropics each year, but the Daintree precinct captures more attention than any other on this list.

It’s no wonder – parts of the Daintree around Cooper Creek, Noah Creek and The Peaks are said to be the oldest section of the rainforest, outstripping the Amazon Rainforest by tens of millions of years.

What’s more, it’s a hotbed of tours and attractions – more so than any other area – making it ideal for visitors who want to leave the decision-making up to the people who know it best.

This village sure knows how to put on a show, with markets open every day from 9:30am to 3:30pm, drawing a crowd who come for the rainforest but stay for local artisan treats.

If you can, time your visit with the wet season to see the thunderous Barron Falls in action. Even though the best lookouts are still kilometres away from the drop itself, you’ll be enveloped in its mist when she’s pumping.

3. For hardcore animal-spotting: Southern Atherton precinct

If the Southern Atherton received a report card, it would get full marks for its fauna diversity.

Even though the Wet Tropics only takes up 0.2 per cent of Australia’s land mass, it’s habitat to more than a quarter of the marsupial species in the country – a factoid worthy of James Cook University professor Stephen Williams labeling the Southern Atherton area, “the most Biodiverse location in Australia”.

The animal encounters don’t stop here though – wrap your bushwalking gear around these stats. The Wet Tropics is home to:

663 species of vertebrate animals

230 butterfly species

2,800 vascular plant species – 700 of which are found nowhere else in the world

16 out of the world’s 28 lineages of primitive flowering plants

Oh, and in case that’s not enough for you, there are at least 50 flowering plant species found nowhere else in the world.

While the Southern Atherton’s most famous face might be the Lumholtz tree kangaroo at first glance, it’s not the animal which demands the most serious scientific attention up here.

Scientists are all about the white lemuroid ringtail possum which is so rare, there are just four known left in the wild. Four!

Compared to other parts of the Wet Tropics, the mountains and valleys of the Cassowary Coast precinct are undeniably the wettest. But don’t let this put you off your twitching game.

Cassowaries, like humans, enjoy a beach stroll and it’s not uncommon to see them stretching their legs in the morning and afternoon sun.

Off the beaten track and in the rainforest, you’re likely to see them too. You’ll find the walking tracks around Mission Beach have been graded to suit your holiday pace – with most sitting below the 3km round trip mark – perfect for holidaymakers not so au fait with boots and a backpack.

Considering all rainforest experiences in this precinct are found within a national park footprint, there’s no price barrier to getting amongst it in this section of the Wet Tropics.

Looking for more ideas to extend your stay in this neck of the woods? Check out this guide to Mission Beach and Tully.

5. For a waterfall to end all other waterfalls: Southern Coast precinct

Australia’s largest single-drop waterfall needs no introduction if you’ve read these five reasons to put Wallaman Falls on your bucket list.

But what most people miss in the jeux de vie of racing to the bottom is the fact they’re surrounded entirely by World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics rainforest.

Instead of just keeping your eyes peeled for this jaw-dropping waterfall, look to the forest floor for the array of plant and animal life. Count yourself lucky if you catch a glimpse of a musky rat-kangaroo or a cassowary on this walk too.

While Wallaman might take the cake for being the most famous fall in Queensland, don’t forget there are other waterfalls within the World Heritage Area, which will save you a four-hour walk to the bottom, like the Crystal Cascades, Barron Falls, and Josephine Falls, which you can read about in this list.

Author

Contrary to what Hannah’s Instagram feed will have you believe, this pocket rocket spends most of her week behind the desk wielding a sword. Of course, by sword she means pen, but a girl can dream, right? When she’s not tied to the computer working on PR, social media or travel writing for clients, you'll find her with a nose to the ground looking for newcomers to Brisbane's food, drinks and wellbeing scene.